Poroshenko orders to open corridor for civilians to leave combat zone in southeastern Ukraine

June 10 2014

RBTH

Interfax

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered to open a humanitarian corridor for civilians wishing to leave southeastern regions where an army operation is underway, the presidential press service reports.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered to open a humanitarian corridor for civilians wishing to leave southeastern regions where an army operation is underway, the presidential press service reports.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of Poroshenko and heads of the Ukrainian Security Service, the Interior Ministry, the Defense Ministry and the State Emergency Service.

"Seeking to prevent new casualties in the antiterrorism operation zone, the Ukrainian president has ordered chiefs of law enforcement authorities to create due conditions for civilians wishing to leave [the area]," the presidential press service said.

Poroshenko ordered the government to arrange transportation of civilians from the operation zone, to give them medical assistance and to deploy a network of mobile posts, which would supply civilians with drinking water, food and drugs.

Local authorities assisted by local self-government bodies and the government are compelled to accommodate people arriving from the operation zone.

Meanwhile, leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic doubt that the order of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to open humanitarian corridors will be fulfilled.

"The promise to open humanitarian corridors was given a long time ago but regretfully these are just words. We have heard about that decision but we doubt its implementation," Donetsk People's Republic Vice-Premier Andriy Purgyn said.

Combat operations continue in Slavyansk, and there was gunfire again last night, he said.

"We still have to transport the wounded along guerrilla trails. People leave the city with great difficulty - they are simply not allowed to go," Purgyn said.